Werner stauf



WERNER STAUF, OF BONN, PRUSSIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIBERS T0 IMITATE HAIR.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 124,652, dated March 12, 1572.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WERNER STAUF, of Bonn, in. the Kingdom of Prussia, have invented a certain new and Improved Substitute for Animal Hair, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists in the manufacture of a species of vegetable hair from the fibrous material kn own as (lhorogclmn pomeridianum kth, or Sct'lla pomcridiane, the fibrous material of which as imported in the rough state is used, being first disintegrated by an openingmachine and boiled in an alkaline solution, which may be composed of, say, from one (1) to two (2) pounds Weight of soda dissolved in one hundred gallons of water.

The above operation, which may occupy from one-half to two hours, according to the strength of the solution, is continued until the gummy, resinous, and ligneous matters adhering to the fibers are completely removed.

The material thus cleansed is exposed to the action of a suitable mordant preparatory to'its removal to the dyeing-vat charged with the required coloring material, to which colorbath may be added a certain proportion of soapy matter, say, from one to four pounds of oil soap for every hundred pounds Weight of fiber prepared as described. The dyeing process being completed, the mass is then dried in the open air or artificially, as desired, and thereafter submitted to the action of ordinary opening and combing machinery, by which the filaments are glazed and divided to the re. quired degree of fineness. The fibrous material thus obtained may be applied to the different purposes for which horsehair, bristles,

and other kinds of hair have heretofore been employed as articles of commerce' When my improved fibrous material is intended to be used as a substitute for bristles, (as, forinstance, in the manufacture ofbrushes,) the coarser fibers are selected and left straight; but when intended for stuffing beds, cushions, &c., or other similar purposes, in lieu of horsehair, they are curled in the same manner as the latter, after which they are steeped in Water, hot or cold, till softened, and then finally baked at a high temperaturesay about 140 Fahrenheit.

The finer fibers may be mixed, when so de sired, with other animal or vegetable fibrous or textile material. The proportions of such mixtures may be varied according to circumstances.

Having described my invention, I claim The substitute for animal hair, made from the plant named, and treated as herein described, for the several uses to which it may be applied.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

WERNER STAUF.

Witnesses:

H. H. YOUNG, THEODORE BAILEY. 

